The Battle off Cape Gata, which takes place June 17, 1815, off the south-east coast of Spain, is the first battle of the Second Barbary War. A squadron of U.S. vessels, under the command of Stephen Decatur Jr., meets and engages the flagship of the Algerine Navy, the frigate Meshuda under Admiral Hamidou. After a sharp action, Decatur's squadron captures the Algerine frigate and wins a decisive victory over the Algerines.
